Conrad's Journal

Conrad Skowronski  Thank you everybody for your thoughts and prayers. Had a little A-Fib start yesterday, but got back in rhythm will meds. Walked 900 ft today!!

Conrad Skowronski  Thank you Kate. Wishing you the best with your recent concern. Hope your heart monitor results finds nothing wrong and confirms a good recovery happening!!

  Yea me to, not to take away from you but being 2 weeks away getting jumpy all over again. I did go over to a Dr. friend tonight just got home as a matter of fact. Even doctors get sick he just had a mitral valve replaced. He had his done at Dignity with surgeon he knew and trusted. Done in April and he looked like I remember him prior to surgery. He said it was not as hard as people think but everyone is different. He tried to make me feel better saying the shape I was in I would breeze through. We will see.
pulling for you Conrad you will be fine.

Joshua Trimberger  i just had surgery tuesday and still in the hospital. but the biggest things i have noticed. is it hurts to get up especially out of bed where you have to swing your legs over. so make sure you have your pillow at all times. you cant lift anything over the weight of a gallon of milk. im also really weak pushing things in if it takes some force and pushing things like my try to the side also hurts so avoid that. we bought a TV that i put things on in my lap in bed or my recliner at home and we also bought something to prop me up in bed as your incision hurts to stretch if you lay flat. They also have stressed making sure to have good posture especially when walking so your bone heals correctly and not pushed forward

  I am hoping to here the minimal is not as bad but I dont think that is the case. My doc keeps saying since the incision is so small I'll be using my arms quicker than a full sternotomy. We will see I guess.

Conrad Skowronski  Thanks guys -- yeah, I heard lying flat is pretty rough and some people use the recliner to sleep - hence why a bought one. Did you bring a pillow from home or do they give you the heart pillow at the hospital to use as a chest cushion? I know I won't be able to open my refrigerator door at home, since it's a pretty hard pull. I also heard whenever I stand that I need to keep my shoulders back for proper healing - I imagine that hurts?

Joshua - wishing you a speedy recovery. Any news on when you'll be going home?
Dan - A speedy recovery to you too. I hope to be alert enough and feel well enough to do some posts before you get to your surgery date. I know you'll do well with your athletic and active lifestyle.

Joshua Trimberger  For me laying flat not only hurt but felt like i was suffocating but that may be due to the fluid they pulled off of my lung (700ML) . My hospital provided my "heart" pillow. Mine is actually a heart shaped pillow. I don't seem to recall seeing anyone 's hospital not providing that. but that would probably be a good question to ask your surgeon. Not only will you need said pillow for sitting/standing but i would imagine you would want it for your seatbelt as well and definitely need it for coughing and sneezing (that's super painful) The shoulders back isn't that hard really. For me it hurts to roll my shoulders forward. They ask to do that on the X-rays sometimes. I also dont feel like bending down to pick things off the floor but that may just be me. Oh, they will go over this a lot but when you get home they want a very low sodium diet for 3+ months, so that may be a big thing for you or not. You'll also want a comfy blanket as you get hot/cold flashes for a bit because of surgery. Im a week out of surgery and a still get them and was told I will for a bit. With those I also get sweats so I will imagine I will always have a towel handy to set down so I dont soak whatever i am laying on.

Bridget Sawmiller  Prayers for a successful surgery and speedy recovery, Conrad! I am about 2 weeks out for my OHS at the Cleveland Clinic. All my best!

Rita Savelis  Laying flat made me suffocate too (water in lungs) but there was no pain... I walked right away, just was incredibly tired. Couldn't keep my head up or eyelids open. Tiredness that is indescribable. No pillow at hospital for me, but I still put one on my chest now (15 months later) because I feel so vulnerable there and my heart is so loud and my sternum has never felt the same. Again, not pain....
I was on no special diet and in fact tried hard to gain weight which no cardiac nutritionists were helpful with. Salt was recommended for me as I have low blood pressure. Everyone is different.

You are an absolute dear, Conrad, for wanting to help out your caregiver, but allow yourself to also be a patient. You don't have to recover immediately. You just have to rest. You can cook dinner for your wife in a few months. There will be time.
Anxiety is there for everyone. It's human. Breathe. Accept what you can't control.
Take care and enjoy your days off....

Conrad Skowronski  Thank you Joshua for the info about what to expect. I wish you both well in your journeys toward having a healthy heart!! Prayers go out to both of you.

Kevin Shackelford  Laying flat is horrible. I used a recliner for a few weeks. Four weeks post surgery and it still hurts but is getting better every day.

Shannon Gray  You are not alone with facing the anxiety and stress that comes from this. I had the same surgery you are about to have this past Feb. I knew starting in Oct that the surgery was probably going to happen. It felt like forever!!!!!!! I'll be honest, I did not handle any of this well. Scared to sleep, cried at everything, and just wanted to stick my head in the sand and get away from all of it. I did see my Dr to help me find the right anxiety medication, and it did help some. I started talking about it with my husband and close friends, who were able to be of great support. I also read a book by the actor Robby Benson "I'm Still Alive", who has gone through 4 open heart surgeries for his valve. It was helpful in the sense of feeling not so alone in going through this. What I wasn't prepared for was how emotionally effected I was following surgery. I was so focused on getting through the surgery, but I totally forgot to be aware of how hard it can be in the other side of surgery.
Think of ways that help you deal with stress and anxiety...it's different for all of us. Talk to your Dr's about how what you're feeling. You've found a great place here to share your story and look for support. It's been a game changer for me!

  I had the same problem. Lot of dreams about dying, scaring myself. I am not over it but I just read and research, and watched a lot of videos about the kind of surgery I will be having. I also started taking a herb called holy basil for stress and added some Melatonin at night. I sleep pretty good now, most nights like a log. It could be that or that I am extremely busy most days. I hope it gets better for you.

Ray Miller  In answer to your question, I very simply laid the anxiety, worry and cares in the hands of my lord and savior Jesus Christ, as I still do today. He has a plan for me and what ever that maybe I have accepted it.

I went into my surgery with peace in my heart and soul. Knew my wife, family, friends and church were praying for me that all went well and I would not be call home yet.

Dr. Baay at Amarillo Cardiology is one of the best as many Cardiology doctors are. The full medical team were also the best prior to and after the surgery. The hospital staff at Baptist St. Anthony from the nurses in Cardiac ICU to the lady that clean my room. By the way this medical and hospital staff team operated on a friend of mine prior to my operation and another friend after my operation for the same operation. Valve replacement and by double bypass. We are all back to work.

So just lay your cares and worry at the Lords hands. All will be well.

Ray Miller  In answer to your question, I very simply laid the anxiety, worry and cares in the hands of my lord and savior Jesus Christ, as I still do today. He has a plan for me and what ever that maybe I have accepted it.

I went into my surgery with peace in my heart and soul. Knew my wife, family, friends and church were praying for me that all went well and I would not be call home yet.

Dr. Baay at Amarillo Cardiology is one of the best as many Cardiology doctors are. The full medical team were also the best prior to and after the surgery. The hospital staff at Baptist St. Anthony from the nurses in Cardiac ICU to the lady that clean my room. By the way this medical and hospital staff team operated on a friend of mine prior to my operation and another friend after my operation for the same operation. Valve replacement and by double bypass. We are all back to work.

So just lay your cares and worry at the Lords hands. All will be well.

Joanne Casserly  I was a bundle of nerves. Found out that I needed it back, in January went I went to the ER and had double pneumonia which I though was the flu, long story short, had it all done, but went crackers they kept me too long in the ICU kept saying we want to watch you, well I swear there were snakes, in my head, so yep, went into a fib back into ICU, thankfully, my cardio doc realized what was happening and she sort of lost it on the other doctors for not having picked up on it, I had the surgery on the 1st, the pacemaker on the 6th and was home, on the 9th. Hang in there people. My new problem, still think my nerves are shoot and afraid to do much, but 1 pill is throwing me off balance but they hope to have me off all med's by September, sorry for being so windy here. You will do great and if it helps, for me, about 2 days of slight pain, nothing much, at all. Kick butt

barrett burris  Hi Conrad. I worked up until the day of my procedure so that helped keep my mind on other things. Then there were those days when nerves would get the of me. When that would happen, I prayed for courage. I also repeated several times over and over, "Jesus, help me" and the fear and anxiety would pass. I was also just so tired of waiting that I just wanted it behind me. The experience was nothing like I was expecting, much less difficult emotionally, mentally, and physically. More in my journal if you're interested.
It gets better. Breathe.
God Bless.

Conrad Skowronski  Thanks everyone. I have read stories, blogs, books, watched videos and now all I do is pray and meditate. It is out of my hands -- I know that "I will be healed by the will and grace of God". That is my mantra when I attempt to relax and meditate. I plan on working up to a day before my pre-op. The day after, my brother-in-law flies in to give me support, as well as for my wife. God Bless all of you.

Darlene Smith  Hello Conrad, I did my research, and once I learned what I could, I decided that anxiety and stress were the opposite of what I needed in my life and I simply accepted it. My husband and 19 year old daughter are both very grounded, show little emotion and are extraordinarily logical. Over the years they have worn off on me. I know I'm doing the right thing, have the best surgeon for my situation, and I will get through it. I'm 9 days out from surgery and it's all good.

Conrad Skowronski  Darlene, thank you. Believe it or not, even thoughI am a nervous wreck, I am much calmer than what I was like when I initially got told about my situation in early May. I am starting to think that surgery is delayed (except for emergencies) for a few months to let patients learn to digest what is happening and have a bit of time to adjust. I know you will do well -- and look forward to your updates after you go back to your home. Wish you well.

  Conrad- For me my 1st cardiologist had my hospital and surgeon picked out for me when I went back for the results. He wanted me in less than 4 weeks. In a round about way told me I'd be dead if I pushed this past 3 months. Said the only way I should consider being fixed was the full sternum crack. The surgeon he refereed me to , that was the only way he knew ho to do the repair.

Needless to say he scared the crap out of me. But it helped some.

SO I said yeaaaaa nawww! I am getting a second opinion and that's how I landed at Mayo.
Same diagnosis but the path was different. The new cardiologist and surgeon said I could wait 5 to 10 years but it would not be conducive to for my health. Better to get it done at 48 years vs 58 years. They were very scornful of my prior cardiologist.

I pushed it out nearly six months for the mental aspect but more so to have some summer fun with my boys. I am just about 3 weeks out so I am thinking I am ready or hope so.

Conrad Skowronski  Dan -- Phoenix Mayo is ranked #1 hospital in AZ and #28 in the US. Those are pretty good stats. I'm pretty comfortable with Dr. Lanza -- he spent as much time as needed to answer my questions. I feel like I am the one who ended our two meetings, not him. I (hopefully) will not be in the hospital when you have your surgery, so maybe we can start a "scar" club in the Phoenix area after we recuperate. Hope your having a good time with your boys!! Diamondback fans?

  Agreed that is why I went to Mayo , the other place I won't name.

Naaa I am a Yankees fan sorry about that.

Me too Dr. De Valeria is great I am in good hands.

Barry Kanick  Dan,,,,,,,,,,,If you read my recent Journal update,,,,,I had zero "nervousness",,,,,zero anxiety & zero insomnia because I attribute it to being "totally prepared" knowledge wise thanks to reading Adam Pick's book top to bottom 2 times. ,,,,,,Best $29.95 I have ever spent!!! I even told my Surgeon that my approach is gonna actually be to pretend that I played another High school football game & I was somewhat banged up/sore for a good week afterwards as usual. But even that didn't happen!!! Two weeks out I took a handful of Epsom Salt baths for about 25 minutes-----Total Relaxation!!! Additionally, the one thing you can't do is absorb & compare yourself to the actual outcomes & experiences from others on this website. Everyone adjusts to the overall Procedure totally different!!! I'm sitting here 10 days post op already & I feel like a million bucks.

Kevin Shackelford  Phoenix Mayo is amazing. I had full chest crack aortic valve replacement done four weeks ago. My surgeon said I was good to be discharged after three days...but got hit with a bout of Afib. Which kept me in a few days longer. I planned on being completely miserable for 6 months. I feel almost normal...a little sore in sternum but that's it.